US7592529B2 - Stringed musical instrument and structure of tailpiece unit used therein - Google Patents

Stringed musical instrument and structure of tailpiece unit used therein Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US7592529B2
US7592529B2 US12/335,709 US33570908A US7592529B2 US 7592529 B2 US7592529 B2 US 7592529B2 US 33570908 A US33570908 A US 33570908A US 7592529 B2 US7592529 B2 US 7592529B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tailpiece
instrument body
tail wire
stringed musical
set forth
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
US12/335,709
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20090173208A1 (en
Inventor
Shinya Tamura
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Yamaha Corp
Original Assignee
Yamaha Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Yamaha Corp filed Critical Yamaha Corp
Assigned to YAMAHA CORPORATION reassignment YAMAHA CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TAMURA, SHINYA
Publication of US20090173208A1 publication Critical patent/US20090173208A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7592529B2 publication Critical patent/US7592529B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H3/00—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means
    • G10H3/12—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument
    • G10H3/14—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
    • G10H3/18—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a string, e.g. electric guitar
    • G10H3/185—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a string, e.g. electric guitar in which the tones are picked up through the bridge structure
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D1/00—General design of stringed musical instruments
    • G10D1/02—Bowed or rubbed string instruments, e.g. violins or hurdy-gurdies
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D3/00—Details of, or accessories for, stringed musical instruments, e.g. slide-bars
    • G10D3/12—Anchoring devices for strings, e.g. tail pieces or hitchpins
    • G10D3/13—Tail pieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D3/00—Details of, or accessories for, stringed musical instruments, e.g. slide-bars
    • G10D3/18—Chin-rests, hand-rests, shoulder rests or guards being removable from, or integral with the instrument
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D3/00—Details of, or accessories for, stringed musical instruments, e.g. slide-bars
    • G10D3/22—Material for manufacturing stringed musical instruments; Treatment of the material
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2230/00—General physical, ergonomic or hardware implementation of electrophonic musical tools or instruments, e.g. shape or architecture
    • G10H2230/045—Special instrument [spint], i.e. mimicking the ergonomy, shape, sound or other characteristic of a specific acoustic musical instrument category
    • G10H2230/075—Spint stringed, i.e. mimicking stringed instrument features, electrophonic aspects of acoustic stringed musical instruments without keyboard; MIDI-like control therefor

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a stringed musical instrument and, more particularly, to a stringed musical instrument equipped with a tailpiece unit for anchoring strings to the instrument body and the structure of tailpiece unit.
  • Acoustic violins, acoustic violas, acoustic cellos and acoustic contrabasses are categorized in a rubbed stringed musical instrument, and players rub the rubbed stringed musical instrument with bows so as to give rise to the vibrations of the strings.
  • the strings are usually anchored at the ends thereof to the instrument body by means of a tailpiece, and the player tunes the rubbed musical instrument by varying the tension of strings through the tailpiece.
  • a typical example of the tailpiece is disclosed in Japan Patent Application laid-open No. 2000-259149.
  • Electric violins, electric violas, electric cellos and electric contrabasses are also categorized in the rubbed stringed musical instrument, and the tailpieces are also used in the electric rubbed stringed musical instruments for the strings.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 A typical example of the acoustic violin is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
  • the prior art acoustic violin is designated in its entity by reference numeral 1 , and includes an instrument body 2 , a fingerboard 3 and a peg box 5 .
  • the instrument body 2 is made of wood.
  • the instrument body 2 is constricted at an intermediate portion thereof, and a hollow space, which serves as a resonator, is formed in the instrument body 2 .
  • the instrument body 2 is symmetrical with respect to a centerline thereof.
  • An upper surface of the instrument body 2 is defined by a sound board 6 , and sound holes, which have an f-letter configuration, are formed in the sound board 6 like a mirror image with respect to the centerline.
  • the resonator is open to the outside of the instrument body 2 through the sound holes.
  • the fingerboard 3 is secured to one end portion of the instrument body 2 .
  • the fingerboard 3 partially extends over the one end portion of instrument body 2 , and projects from the instrument body 2 in a direction parallel to the centerline.
  • the peg box 5 is fitted to the leading end of fingerboard 3 .
  • the prior art acoustic violin further includes strings 4 a , 4 b , 4 c and 4 d , which are designated its entity by reference numeral 4 , pegs 5 a , 5 b , 5 c and 5 d , which are designated its entity by reference numeral 4 , a tailpiece 7 , a nut 8 , a bridge 9 , a tail wire 11 , a wood block (not shown) and an end pin 10 .
  • the pegs 5 a , 5 b , 5 c and 5 d and end pin 10 are made of wood.
  • the pegs 5 a , 5 b , 5 c and 5 d are rotatably supported by the peg box 5 , and project from both sides of peg box 5 .
  • the nut 8 is secured to the upper surface of leading end portion of fingerboard 3 , and has an upper surface spaced from the upper surface of fingerboard 3 .
  • the tailpiece 7 is connected to a tail wire 11 , and the tail wire 11 is anchored to the other end 2 a of instrument body 2 by means of the end pin 10 .
  • the end pin 10 is made of wood, and is tapered.
  • the wood block (not shown) is provided inside the instrument body 2 , and is adhered to the rib of instrument body 2 .
  • a hole is formed in the rib and wood block, and is tapered. The end pin 10 is inserted into the tapered hole, and the wood block (not shown) keeps the end pin 10 unmoved in the hole by virtue of the wedge effect.
  • the tail wire 11 keeps the tailpiece 7 spaced from the upper surface of instrument body 2 .
  • the bridge 9 stands on the sound board 6 , and has the upper surface spaced from the upper surface of instrument body 2 wider than the tailpiece 7 .
  • the strings 4 a , 4 b , 4 c and 4 d are respectively wound on the pegs 5 a , 5 b , 5 c and 5 d , and stretched over the bridge 9 .
  • the other ends of strings 4 a , 4 b , 4 c and 4 d are anchored to the tailpiece 7 .
  • the nut 8 , bridge 9 and tailpiece 7 keep the strings 4 spaced from the upper surface of fingerboard 3 and the upper surface of instrument body 2 .
  • the tail wire 11 is overlapped with the tailpiece 7 , and is bolted to the tailpiece 7 .
  • the distance between the bridge 9 and the tailpiece 7 is regulable. When a player wishes to change the distance between the bridge 9 and the tailpiece 9 , he or she disassembles the tailpiece 7 and tail wire 11 from the instrument body 2 , and changes the length of tail wire 11 overlapped with the tailpiece 7 .
  • the distance between the tailpiece 7 and the bridge 9 is a sixth of the distance between the nut 8 and the bridge 9 .
  • the prior art acoustic violin 1 further includes a chinrest 12 .
  • the chinrest 12 is attached to the instrument body 2 , and a part of the tailpiece is overlapped with the chinrest 12 .
  • the end pin 10 and a part of the tail wire 11 are seen without coverage.
  • the strings 4 a , 4 b , 4 c and 4 d selectively vibrate, and the vibrations are propagated from the vibrating strings 4 a , 4 b , 4 c and 4 d through the bridge 9 to the sound board 6 .
  • the sound board 6 vibrates.
  • the vibrations of sound board 6 are enlarged through the resonator, and are converted to sound waves.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 A typical example of electric violin is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
  • the prior art electric violin is designated in its entity by reference numeral 20 .
  • the prior art electric violin 20 includes a body framework 2 A, a fingerboard 3 A and a peg box 5 A.
  • the body framework 2 A has a center stem 22 and a side frame 24 .
  • any resonator is not formed in the body framework 2 A.
  • the side frame 24 has an outline like a half of the instrument body 2 of the acoustic violin 1 , and projects from the center stem 22 in a sideward direction.
  • the side frame 24 is made of synthetic resin
  • the center stem 22 is made of wood.
  • the center stem 22 is partially overlapped with the fingerboard 3 A, and the fingerboard 3 A projects from the center stem 22 .
  • the peg box 5 A is secured to the leading end of the fingerboard 3 A.
  • the prior art electric violin 20 further includes strings 4 A, pegs 5 e , a nut 8 A, a bridge 9 A, a pickup PKA and a tailpiece 21 .
  • the nut 8 A is partially embedded in the leading end portion of fingerboard 3 A, and the upper surface of nut 8 A is spaced from the upper surface of fingerboard 3 A.
  • the bridge 9 A stands on the upper surface of center stem 22 , and the pickup PKA is provided between the center stem 22 and the bridge 9 A.
  • the tailpiece is provided on the upper surface of center stem 22 , and is secured to the center stem 22 by means of bolts (not shown). The bolts (not shown) pass through the center stem 22 , and are driven into the tailpiece 21 . For this reason, the tailpiece 21 is not moved.
  • the strings 4 A are respectively wound on the pegs 5 e , and are stretched over the bridge 9 A.
  • the strings 4 A are anchored to the tailpiece 21 .
  • the prior art electric violin 20 further includes a chinrest 12 A, and the chinrest 12 A is secured to the center stem 22 . Any part of the tailpiece 21 is not overlapped with the chinrest 12 A so that the entire tailpiece 21 is exposed to a player.
  • the strings 4 A While a player is bowing the strings 4 A between the fingerboard 3 A and the bridge 9 A, the strings 4 A vibrate, and the vibrations are propagated from the strings 4 A through the bridge 9 A to the pickup PKA.
  • the vibrations are converted to an electric signal through the pickup PKA, and the electric signal is supplied to a sound system (not shown).
  • a mute electric violin is designated in its entity by reference numeral 30 .
  • the prior art mute electric violin 30 includes a body framework 2 B, a fingerboard 3 B and a peg box 5 B.
  • the body framework 2 B has a center stem 22 B and a side frame 24 B.
  • any resonator is not formed in the body framework 2 B.
  • the side frame 24 B has an outline like a half of the instrument body 2 of the acoustic violin 1 , and projects from the center stem 22 B in a sideward direction.
  • the center stem 22 B is partially overlapped with the fingerboard 3 B, and the fingerboard 3 B projects from the center stem 22 B.
  • the peg box 5 B is secured to the leading end of the fingerboard 3 B.
  • the prior art mute electric violin 30 further includes strings 4 B, pegs 5 f , a nut 8 B, a bridge 9 B, a pickup PKB, a wood block 23 and a tailpiece 7 B.
  • the nut 8 B is partially embedded in the leading end portion of fingerboard 3 B, and the upper surface of nut 8 B is spaced from the upper surface of fingerboard 3 B.
  • the bridge 9 B stands on the upper surface of center stem 22 B, and the pickup PKB is provided between the center stem 22 B and the bridge 9 B.
  • the tailpiece 7 B is provided over the upper surface of center stem 22 , and is connected to a tail wire 11 B.
  • the end pin 10 B is tapered, and a hole and a tapered hole are formed in the end portion of side frame 24 B and wood block 24 B, respectively.
  • the tail wire 11 B is anchored to the end pin 10 B, and the end pin 10 B is inserted through the hole into the tapered hole of wood block 32 .
  • the wedge effect keeps the end pin 10 B in the tapered hole.
  • the strings 4 A are respectively wound on the pegs 5 f , and are stretched over the bridge 9 B.
  • the strings 4 B are anchored to the tailpiece 7 B.
  • the prior art electric violin 20 further includes a chinrest 12 B, and the chinrest 12 B is secured to the center stem 22 B.
  • the tailpiece 21 is partially overlapped with the chinrest 12 B. However, the end pin 10 B and tail wire 11 B are seen without any coverage.
  • the end pin 10 and wood block (not shown) are made of wood, and the friction between the tapered surfaces remains the end pin 10 in the wood block (not shown).
  • the tapered surfaces are hardened during long time.
  • the end pin 10 and wood block (not shown) are repeatedly expanded and constricted in the variation of temperature and humidity. These phenomena make the friction reduced.
  • the end pin 10 is unintentionally dropped off from the wood block (not shown) when the external force changes the direction during change of strings, by way of example.
  • the prior art electric violin 20 is free from the problem inherent in the prior art acoustic violin 1 .
  • the players feel the bows unfamiliar in the bowing on the strings 4 A.
  • players who are used to bowing on the acoustic violin feel it curious, and tend to hate to play on the prior art electric violin 20 .
  • This is because of the fact that the tailpiece 21 is bolted to the center stem 22 .
  • the tail wire 11 is provided between the end pin 10 and the tailpiece 7 of the prior art acoustic violin 1 , the tail wire 11 allows the tailpiece 7 to tremble during the bowing on the strings 4 , and the reaction of tremble is propagated through the vibrating strings 4 and bow to player's hand.
  • the tailpiece 21 is directly bolted to the center stem 22 so as to be rigid to the body framework 2 A. Even if the player varies the pressure exerted on the strings 4 A through the bow in the performance, the tailpiece 21 keeps the attitude on the center stem 22 , and does not respond to the variation of pressure. As a result, the players feel the bows curious. Thus, the tailpiece 21 makes the prior art electric violin 20 not acceptable to the player who is used to bowing on the acoustic violin.
  • the prior art mute electric violin 30 is equipped with the tailpiece 7 B supported by the end pin 10 B through the tail wire 11 B. For this reason, the prior art mute electric violin 30 is free from the curious impression in the bowing inherent in the prior art electric violin 20 .
  • the end pin 10 B is liable to be dropped off from the wood block 32 due to the aged deterioration as similar to that of the acoustic violin 1 .
  • the present invention proposes to prevent a tail wire and a fastener from eyes of users by means of a blindfold.
  • a stringed musical instrument for producing music sound comprising an instrument body having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, at least one string stretched in the longitudinal direction over the instrument body, a connector connected between one end of the instrument body and one end of the aforesaid at least one string, and a tailpiece unit provided at the other end of the instrument body and including a tailpiece connected to the other end of the aforesaid at least one string, a tail wire connected at one end thereof to the tailpiece and keeping the tailpiece spaced from the instrument body, a fastener made of a certain sort of material less influenced in variation of humidity rather than wood and securing the tail wire to the instrument body and a blindfold supported by the instrument body and preventing the tail wire and the fastener from eyes of users.
  • a tailpiece unit used for a stringed musical instrument comprising a tailpiece connected to an end of at least one string of the stringed musical instrument, a tail wire connected at one end thereof to the tailpiece and keeping the tailpiece spaced from an instrument body of the stringed musical instrument, a fastener made of a certain sort of material less influenced in variation of humidity rather than wood and securing the tail wire to the instrument body, and a blindfold supported by the instrument body and preventing the tail wire and the fastener from eyes of users.
  • FIG. 1 is a plane view showing the structure of the prior art acoustic violin
  • FIG. 2 is a side view showing the structure of prior art acoustic violin
  • FIG. 3 is a plane view showing the structure of the prior art electric violin
  • FIG. 4 is a side view showing the structure of prior art electric violin
  • FIG. 5 is a plane view showing the structure of the prior art mute electric violin
  • FIG. 6 is a side view showing the structure of prior art mute electric violin
  • FIG. 7 is a plane view showing the structure of an electric violin of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a side view showing the structure of the electric violin of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away side view showing a tail wire anchored to a body framework of the electric violin,
  • FIG. 10 is a plane view showing the structure of another electric violin of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a partially cut-away side view showing a tail wire anchored to a body framework of the electric violin,
  • FIG. 12 is a plane view showing the structure of an acoustic violin of the present invention.
  • FIG. 13 is a side view showing the structure of the acoustic violin
  • FIG. 14 is a cross sectional side view showing a fastener of the anchor of the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a plane view showing the structure of an acoustic viola of the present invention.
  • FIG. 16 is a plane view showing the structure of an electric viola of the present invention.
  • a stringed musical instrument embodying the present invention is used for producing music sound, and comprises an instrument body, at least one string, a connector and a tailpiece unit.
  • the instrument body has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction.
  • the connector is connected between one end of the instrument body and one end of the at least one string, and a tailpiece unit is provided at the other end of the instrument body.
  • the at least one string is stretched in the longitudinal direction over the instrument body between the connector and the tailpiece unit.
  • the tailpiece unit includes a tailpiece, a tail wire, a fastener and a blindfold.
  • the tailpiece is connected to the other end of the at least one string.
  • the tail wire is connected at one end thereof to the tailpiece, and the fastener secures the other end of tail wire to the instrument body in such a manner that the tail wire keeps the tailpiece spaced from the instrument body.
  • the fastener is made of a certain sort of material less influenced in variation of humidity rather than wood.
  • the blindfold is supported by the instrument body, and prevents the tail wire and the fastener from eyes of users.
  • the tailpiece floats over the instrument body by virtue of the tail wire as similar to the tailpiece of an acoustic stringed musical instrument such as, for example, a violin, the tailpiece can tremble during bowing on the at least one string, and a player feels the bow on the at least one string same as that of the strings of acoustic stringed musical instrument.
  • the fastener is more durable rather than a wood end pin and a wood block of the acoustic stringed musical instrument, because the fastener is made of a certain sort of material less influenced in variation of humidity rather than wood.
  • tail wire is used between the tailpiece and the instrument body, users do not feel the stringed musical instrument implementing the embodiment antique, because the blindfold prevents the tail wire and fastener from the eyes of users.
  • strings stretched over an instrument body extend in parallel to a “longitudinal” direction, and a “lateral direction” crosses the longitudinal direction at right angle.
  • Term a “perpendicular” direction is normal to a plane defined by the longitudinal direction and lateral direction, and the thickness of instrument body is in parallel to the perpendicular direction.
  • an electric violin embodying the present invention is designated in its entity by reference numeral 40 .
  • the electric violin 40 largely comprises an instrument body 40 A, a set of strings 40 B, a stretcher 40 C, an anchor 40 D and a blindfold 40 E.
  • the instrument body 40 A has the longitudinal direction, and the set of strings 40 B extends over the instrument body 40 A in parallel to the longitudinal direction.
  • the stretcher 40 C and anchor 40 D are fitted to the instrument body 40 A, and are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction.
  • the set of strings 40 B is anchored at one end thereof to the instrument body 40 A by means of the anchor 40 D, and is connected at the other end thereof to the stretcher 40 C.
  • the stretcher 40 C gives appropriate tension to the set of strings 40 B. A player rubs the strings 40 B with a bow BW for his or her performance.
  • the blindfold 40 E is supported by the instrument body 40 A, and the connection between the instrument body 40 A and the anchor 40 D is covered with the blindfold 40 E.
  • the blindfold 40 E prevents the connection between the instrument body 40 A and the anchor 40 D from the eyes of users. Even if component parts of an acoustic stringed musical instrument form parts of the anchor 40 D, the component parts are not seen by the users so that the electric violin 40 does not give the antique impression to the users.
  • FIG. 9 is hereinafter referred to together with FIGS. 7 and 8 .
  • the instrument body 40 A includes a neck 3 Ca, a fingerboard 3 Cb, a peg box 5 C, a center stem 22 C and a side frame 24 C.
  • the center stem 22 C is made of wood, and has length much greater than width.
  • the rear end portion of center stem 22 C is partially cut away so that a step STP 1 takes place.
  • the neck 3 Ca is secured to the front end surface of center stem 22 C, and projects from the front end surface in the forward direction.
  • a front portion of the center stem 22 C is overlapped with a rear portion of the fingerboard 3 Cb, and a front portion of fingerboard 3 Cb is secured to the upper surface of neck 3 Ca.
  • the peg box 5 C is fixed to the leading end portion of neck 3 Ca, and projects from the leading end portion of neck 3 Ca.
  • the side frame 24 C is made of synthetic resin, and has a contour like half of the instrument body of an acoustic violin.
  • the side frame 24 C is connected at a front portion, intermediate portion and rear portion to the center stem 22 C, and projects from the side surface of center stem 22 C in a sideward direction.
  • the stretcher 40 C includes pegs 5 h , a nut 8 C and a bridge 9 C.
  • the pegs 5 h are rotatably supported by the peg box 5 C, and project in a staggered manner from the peg box 5 C in the sideward directions.
  • the nut 8 C is secured to the upper surface of neck 3 Ca, and projects over the upper surface of fingerboard 3 Cb.
  • the nut 8 C extends in the lateral direction.
  • the bridge 9 C is formed from a thin plate, which is usually made of wood, and stands on the upper surface of center stem 22 C.
  • the bridge 9 C extends in the lateral direction, and a pickup unit PKC is inserted between the center stem 22 C and the bridge 9 C. Vibrations of the bridge 9 C are converted to an electric signal through the bridge 9 C. The electric signal in turn is converted to electric tones through a sound system SS.
  • the anchor 40 D is secured to the rear end portion of center stem 22 C, and is hereinafter described in detail.
  • Four strings 4 C form the set of strings 40 B, and are different in thickness from one another.
  • the pegs 5 h are respectively assigned to the strings 4 C, and are wound on the associated pegs 5 h .
  • the strings 4 C extend in the longitudinal direction over the fingerboard 3 Cb and center stem 22 C, and are held in contact with the upper surface of nut 8 C and the upper surface of bridge 9 C.
  • the nut 8 C and bridge 9 C keep the strings 4 C spaced from the upper surface of fingerboard 3 Cb and the upper surface of center stem 22 C.
  • the other end portions of strings 4 C are terminated at the anchor 40 D.
  • a player rotates the pegs 5 h , and exerts tension on the strings 4 C.
  • the anchor 40 D includes a tailpiece 7 C, a tail wire 11 C and a fastener 10 C.
  • the tail wire 11 C is connected to the tailpiece 7 C by means of bolts (not shown), by way of example.
  • the tail wire 11 C extends from the tailpiece 7 C in the rearward direction, and is twice bent along the end surface and back surface of rear portion of center stem 22 C as will be better seen in FIG. 9 .
  • the tail wire 11 C keeps the tailpiece 7 C spaced from the upper surface of center stem 22 C so as to allow the tailpiece to tremble during the bowing on the strings 4 C.
  • the player feels the reaction of tremble through the strings 4 C and the bow BW with his or her hand. This phenomenon is similar to that of an acoustic violin. As a result, the player feels the electric violin 40 familiar.
  • the tail wire 11 C is secured to the rear end portion of center stem 22 C by means of the fastener 10 C.
  • the fastener 10 C is made of metal or alloy, and, accordingly, is stronger than wood.
  • the tail wire 11 C is separable from the rear portion of center stem 22 C in the rearward direction, and the fastener 10 C is separable from the rear portion of center stem 22 C in the perpendicular direction through a movement different from the movement in the rearward direction.
  • An example of the movement different from the rearward movement is rotation about the perpendicular direction.
  • the fastener 10 C fixes the tail wire 11 C to the rear end portion of center stem 22 C by virtue of large rigidity thereof.
  • the tail wire 11 C exerts the force on the fastener 10 C in the rearward direction. For this reason, the fastener 10 C keeps the tail wire 11 C unmoved on the rear portion of center stem 22 C in so far as the tail wire 11 C does not break the fastener 10 C.
  • the fastener 10 C includes a saddle plate 42 and bolts 41 and 43 .
  • the saddle plate 42 is made of metal or alloy, and a metal plate is twice bent in such a manner that the rear end portion of center stem 22 C is received in the inner surface of saddle plate 42 .
  • a rear portion, a lower portion and an upper portion of saddle plate 42 are respectively labeled with 42 A, 42 B and 42 C.
  • the rear portion 42 A and lower portion 42 B have flat inner surfaces, and the upper portion 42 C is rounded.
  • An end surface of upper portion 42 C is opposed to the inner surface of lower portion 42 B.
  • upper portion 42 C is held in contact with the upper surface of rear portion of center stem 22 C, and the inner surface of rear portion 42 A and the inner surface of lower portion 42 B are respectively held in contact with the rear end surface 22 a and lower surface 22 b of rear end portion of center stem 22 C.
  • the rear portion of center stem 22 C is partially cut away so that a hollow space is defined between the step STP 1 and the inner surface of the saddle plate 42 .
  • the bolts 43 and 41 are made of metal or alloy such as, for example, steel, stainless steel or copper alloy.
  • the saddle plate 42 is formed with front bolt holes, and the lower surface of rear portion of center stem 22 C is held in contact with the inner peripheries of front bolt holes.
  • the bolts 43 are driven into the rear portion of center stem 22 C through the front bolt holes.
  • the saddle plate 42 is fixed to the rear portion of center stem 22 C. It is rare to separate the saddle plate 42 from the center stem 22 C. For this reason, the female screws of wooden center stem 22 C do not crumble.
  • the saddle plate 42 is strongly fixed to the rear portion of center stem 22 C for a long service time period.
  • the rear bolt holes are threaded.
  • the rear bolt holes are located at the step STP 1 so that the hollow space is exposed to the outside through the rear bolt holes.
  • the tail wire 11 C extends along the saddle plate 42 , and is held in contact with the rounded upper portion 42 c , flat rear portion 42 A and flat lower portion 42 B.
  • the tail wire passes in the vicinity of rear bolt holes, and is connected to the saddle plate 42 by means of the bolts 41 .
  • the bolts 41 pass through the rear bolt holes. However, the tips of bolts 41 do not reach the step STP 1 .
  • the tail wire 11 C is guided through the upper and rear portions 42 C and 42 A to the lower portion 42 B, and is secured to the lower portion 42 B by means of the bolts 41 .
  • the tailpiece 7 C, tail wire 11 C and saddle plate 42 are provided between the strings 4 C and the center stem 22 C, and the saddle plate 42 is widely spaced from the pickup PKC. Even if the vibrations of strings 4 C reach the pickup PKC through the center stem 22 C, the vibrations do not have serious influence on the vibrations propagated through the bridge 9 C. As a result, the vibrations of strings 4 C are converted to the electric signal at high fidelity.
  • the fastener 10 C is more durable than the prior art fastener, i.e., the combination of wood block 32 and end pin 10 B.
  • the electric violin 40 further comprises a chinrest 12 C, and the chinrest 12 C is connected to the center stem 22 C.
  • the blindfold 40 E is partially implemented by an extension 40 Ea of the chinrest 12 C, and is further partially implemented by an extension 40 Eb of the side frame 24 C.
  • the blindfold 40 E does not increase the number of component parts of the electric violin 40 .
  • tailpiece 7 C The rear portion of tailpiece 7 C is covered with the extension 40 Ea, and the tail wire 11 C, saddle plate 42 and bolts 41 and 43 are covered with the extension 40 Eb as will be better seen in FIG. 8 .
  • the tail wire 11 C, saddle plate 42 and bolts 41 and 42 are not seen from any rear position, any side position, any upper position and any lower position with respect to the instrument body 40 A.
  • electric violin 40 does not give the antique impression to users.
  • Designers are free from the impression of the tail wire 11 C, and can give various modern contours to electric violins of the present invention.
  • the tailpiece 7 C is supported over the center stem 22 C by the tail wire 11 C, and the tail wire 11 C, saddle plate 42 and bolts 41 and 43 are covered with the blindfold 40 E.
  • the blindfold 40 E As a result, users are free from the antique impression.
  • the saddle plate 42 is secured to the rear end of center stem 22 C so that the vibrations of strings 40 B is propagated to the rear end of center stem 22 C. As a result, the vibrations of strings 40 B are well spread to the entire center stem 22 C. This results in improvement of tone quality.
  • the tail wire 11 C makes the tailpiece 7 C tremble during the bowing on the strings 4 C as similar to that of the acoustic violins.
  • the impression on the player is close to that given from the bowing on the acoustic violin.
  • the electric violin of the present invention is acceptable to the players who are used to bowing on the acoustic violins.
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings another electric violin embodying the present invention is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 50 .
  • the electric violin 50 largely comprises an instrument body 50 A, a set of strings 50 B, a stretcher 50 C, an anchor 50 D, a blindfold 50 E and a chinrest 12 E.
  • the instrument body 50 A, set of strings 50 B, stretcher 50 C, blindfold 50 E and chinrest 12 E are similar to the instrument body 40 A, set of strings 40 B, stretcher 40 C, blindfold 40 E and chinrest 12 C, respectively, except for the rear portion of center stem, and, for this reason, the other component parts are labeled with references designating the corresponding component parts shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 without detailed description.
  • a difference between the center stem 22 C and the center stem 22 E is that any step is not formed in the rear portion of center step 22 E.
  • the anchor 50 D includes a tailpiece 7 E, a tail wire 11 E and a fastener 10 E.
  • the tailpiece 7 E and tail wire 11 E are similar to the tailpiece 7 C and tail wire 11 C, and, for this reason, no further description is hereinafter incorporated for the sake of simplicity.
  • the fastener 10 E is implemented by bolts 41 E.
  • the saddle plate 42 is not incorporated in the fastener 10 E.
  • the tail wire 11 E is directly bolted to the rear portion of center stem 22 E.
  • the rear portion of tailpiece 7 E is converted with the extension 40 Ea of blindfold 50 E, and the tail wire 11 E and bolts 41 E are covered with the extension 40 Eb of blindfold 50 E.
  • the tail wire 11 E permits the tailpiece 7 E to tremble, and the player feels the bowing on strings 4 C similar to that on the strings of an acoustic violin. Moreover, the tail wire 11 E is connected to the rear portion of center stem 22 E so that the player gives rise to the vibrations of enter center stem 22 E. This results in improvement of tone quality.
  • an acoustic violin embodying the present invention is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 60 .
  • the acoustic violin 60 largely comprises an instrument body 60 A, a set of strings 60 B, a stretcher 60 C, an anchor 60 D, a blindfold 60 E and a chinrest 60 F.
  • the instrument body 60 A is formed with a resonator, and the set of strings 60 B is stretched over the instrument body 60 A.
  • the stretcher 60 C and anchor 60 D are fitted to both ends of instrument body 60 A, and are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction.
  • the set of strings 60 B is connected at one end thereof to the stretcher 60 C and at the other end thereof to the anchor 60 D.
  • the stretcher 60 C individually gives the tension to the strings of the set 60 B so that a player can tune the acoustic violin 60 by regulating the strings of set 60 B to appropriate tension.
  • the chinrest 60 F is fitted to the instrument body 60 A, and the player puts his or her chin on the chinrest 60 F during bowing on the set of strings 60 B.
  • the blindfold 60 E is supported by the chinrest 60 F.
  • the blindfold 60 E does not extend over the connecting portion between the set of strings 60 B and the anchor 60 D, and permits users to see the connecting portion.
  • the blindfold 60 E extends the connecting portion between the anchor 60 D and the instrument body 60 A. For this reason, the blindfold 60 E prohibits the connecting portion between the anchor 60 D and the instrument body 60 A from the eyes of users.
  • the instrument body 60 A includes a set of soundboard 61 , a rib 62 , a finger board 63 a , a neck 63 b , a peg box 65 and a wood block 60 Aa.
  • the wood block 60 Aa is illustrated in FIG. 14 , and is provided inside the instrument body 60 A.
  • the soundboards 61 are constricted at intermediate portions thereof, and a pair of sound holes 62 a is formed in one of the soundboards 61 .
  • the soundboards 61 are spaced from one another, and the rib 62 is adhered to the peripheries of soundboards 61 . As a result, a hollow space, which serves as the resonator, takes place among the soundboards 61 and rib 62 .
  • the hollow space is open to the outside of instrument body 60 A through the sound holes 62 a .
  • the wood block 60 Aa is formed with a groove 60 Ab, and is adhered to the inner surface of rib 62 in such a manner that the groove 60 Ab is opposed to the inner surface of rib 62 .
  • the soundboards 61 which is formed with the sound holes 62 a offers an upper surface to other component parts, and the other of soundboards 61 has a lower surface.
  • the sound holes 63 a has a contour like alphabet letter “f”, and are arranged in a mirror image with respect to the centerline of the instrument body 60 A.
  • the rib 62 has an outer surface serving as a side surface, a front end surface and a rear end surface of the instrument body 60 A.
  • the neck 63 b is adhered to the front end surface of instrument body 60 A, and projects from the front end surface in the longitudinal direction.
  • the finger board 63 has a rear portion and a front portion.
  • the front portion of finger board 63 a is laminated on the neck 63 , and is adhered to the upper surface of neck 63 b .
  • the rear portion of finger board 63 extends over the upper surface of instrument body 60 A, and reaches the space in the vicinity of sound holes 62 a .
  • the peg box 65 is adhered to a front end surface of the neck 63 b.
  • the peg box 65 has a pair of side plates and a scroll. Four holes are formed in the pair of side plates in a staggered manner, and the scroll is formed in the front end of peg box 65 opposite to the finger board 63 .
  • strings 64 a , 64 b , 64 c and 64 d form the set 60 B, and are different in thickness from one another. While a player is bowing on the four strings 64 a , 64 b , 64 c and 64 d after the tuning work, the strings 64 a to 64 d vibrate, and the acoustic violin 60 produces tones, the compass of which is from the G below middle C, upwards for three and a half octaves and more.
  • the stretcher 60 C includes four pegs 65 a , 65 b , 65 c and 65 d , a bridge 67 and a nut 68 .
  • the four holes of peg box 65 are respectively assigned to the four pegs 65 a , 65 b , 65 c and 65 d , and the four pegs 65 a to 65 d bridge the gap between the side plates of peg box 65 .
  • the pegs 65 a to 65 d are rotatable about the center axes of holes, the friction between the pegs 65 a to 65 d and the inner surfaces defining the holes are so large that the pegs 65 a to 65 d can keep themselves stable against the tension of strings 64 a to 64 d .
  • the strings 64 a , 64 b , 64 c and 64 d have respective end portions, which are wound on the pegs 65 a , 65 b , 65 c and 65 d , respectively.
  • the nut 68 is adhered at the front end of neck 63 b to the upper surface of neck 63 b , and extends in the lateral direction.
  • the bridge 69 stands on the upper surface of soundboard 61 between the sound holes 62 a .
  • the bridge 69 has a crown portion 69 a , and the crown portion 69 a has a gently curved upper surface.
  • the strings 64 a to 64 d are held in contact with the upper surface of nut 68 , and extend over the upper surface of finger board 63 a toward the bridge 69 .
  • the strings 64 a to 64 d are in turn held in contact with the upper surface of crown portion 69 a , and are terminated at the anchor 60 D. body 60 A.
  • the distance between the upper surface of instrument body 60 A and the upper surface of crown portion 69 a is greater than the distance between the upper surface of instrument body 60 A and the upper surface of finger board 63 a , and, for this reason, the strings 64 a to 64 d are spaced from the upper surface of finger board 63 a.
  • the anchor 60 D has a tailpiece 67 a , a tail wire 67 b and a fastener 70 .
  • the fastener 70 has a saddle unit 67 c and bolts 67 d and 67 e .
  • the tail wire 67 b is connected at one end thereof to the tailpiece 67 a , and the other end of tail wire 67 b is connected to the rib 62 by means of the saddle unit 67 c .
  • the tail wire 67 b is curved, and keeps the tailpiece 67 a spaced from the upper surface of instrument body 60 A.
  • the tail wire 67 b permits the tailpiece 67 a freely to tremble during the bowing on the strings 64 a to 64 d .
  • the player who is used to bowing on the prior art acoustic violin 1 , feels the bow on the strings 64 a to 64 d same as that on the strings 4 a to 4 d.
  • the saddle unit 67 c has a curved plate 67 j , which has a cross section like alphabet letter “J”, and an angle bar 67 k .
  • the curved plate 67 j and angle bar 67 k are made of metal or alloy.
  • the angle bar 67 k is welded to the fold back portion of curved plate 67 j , and extends in perpendicular to the long portion of the curved plate 67 j .
  • Bolt holes are formed in the long portion of curved plate 67 j , and a threaded bolt hole is formed in the short portion of curved plate 67 j .
  • the angle bar 67 k is held in contact with the side surface and a back surface of wood block 60 Aa, and keeps the long portion of curved plate 67 j tightly held in contact with the wood block 60 Aa.
  • a hole is formed in the rib 62 for an end pin.
  • the bolt 67 f is screwed through the hole into the threaded bolt hole of saddle unit 67 c , and the tail wire 67 b is pressed to the rib 62 by means of the bolt 67 f .
  • a player wishes to change the tailpiece 67 a to a more appropriate position, he or she looses the bolt 67 f , and separates the tail wire 67 b and tailpiece 67 a from the instrument body 60 A.
  • the player changes the relative position between the tailpiece 67 a and the tail wire 67 b , and presses the tail wire 67 b to the rib 62 by means of the bolt 67 f and saddle unit 67 c , again.
  • the player can regulate the distance between the bridge 69 and the tailpiece 67 a.
  • the blindfold 60 E is implemented by an extension of the chinrest 60 F.
  • the blindfold 60 E and chinrest 60 F have a unitary structure in this instance.
  • the extension of chinrest 60 F extends over the upper surface of instrument body 60 A in such a manner that the rear portion of tailpiece 67 a is covered with the extension of chinrest 60 F.
  • the extension of chinrest 60 F is bent along the instrument body 60 A, and extends over the rib 62 . Since the rib 62 is curbed, the extension of chinrest 60 F is also curved.
  • the blindfold 67 E prevents the rear portion of tailpiece 67 a , tail wire 67 b and bolt 67 f from eyes of users.
  • the tail wire 67 b keeps the tailpiece 67 a float over the upper surface of instrument body 60 A so that the player feels the bow on the strings 64 a to 64 d same as that on the strings 4 a to 4 d of prior art acoustic violin 1 .
  • the metal bolt 67 f is held in threaded engagement with the metal saddle unit 67 c so that the anchor 60 D is free from the aged deterioration and change in temperature and humidity.
  • the blindfold 60 E prevents the tail wire 67 b and bolt 67 f from eyes of users so that the users feel the acoustic violin 60 neat.
  • an acoustic viola embodying the present invention is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 80 .
  • the acoustic viola 80 largely comprises an instrument body 80 A, a set of strings 80 B, a stretcher 80 C, an anchor 80 D, a blindfold 80 E and a chinrest 80 F.
  • the instrument body 80 A is made of wood, and is formed with a resonator as similar to the acoustic violin 60 .
  • the acoustic viola 80 is different in size from the acoustic violin 60 .
  • the instrument body 80 A has length L 1 greater than the length of acoustic violin 60 .
  • component parts of the instrument body 80 A are similar to those of the instrument body 60 A. For this reason, the component parts of instrument body 80 A are labeled with the references designating the corresponding component parts of instrument body 60 A without detailed description.
  • the strings 80 B are vibratory during bowing, and the tones are produced through the vibrations of strings 80 B.
  • the compass of strings 80 B is from the C below middle C, upward for more than three octaves.
  • the stretcher 80 C, anchor 80 D, blindfold 80 E and chinrest 80 F are similar to those of the acoustic violin 60 , and have component parts corresponding to those of the acoustic violin 60 . For this reason, the components parts of acoustic viola 80 are labeled with references designating the corresponding component parts of acoustic violin 60 .
  • the anchor 80 D makes a player feel a bow on the strings 80 B same as that on the strings of a standard acoustic viola, and the blindfold 80 E prevents the tail wire 67 B and fastener from the eyes of users.
  • the users do not have any antique impression on the anchor 90 D.
  • the acoustic viola 80 achieves all the advantages of electric violin 40 .
  • an electric viola embodying the present invention is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 90 .
  • the electric viola 90 largely comprises an instrument body 90 A, a set of strings 90 B, a stretcher 90 C, an anchor 90 D, a blindfold 90 E, a chinrest 90 F and a pickup PKD.
  • the instrument body 90 A does not have any resonator.
  • the electric viola 90 is different in size from the electric violin 40 .
  • the instrument body 90 A has length L 2 greater than the length of electric violin 40 .
  • component parts of the instrument body 90 A, component parts of stretcher 90 C and component parts of anchor 90 D are similar to those of the electric violin 40 .
  • the component parts of electric viola 90 are labeled with the references designating the corresponding component parts of electric violin 40 without detailed description.
  • the anchor 90 D makes a player feel a bow on the strings 90 B same as that on the strings 80 B of acoustic viola, and the blindfold 90 E prevents the tail wire 11 C and fastener from the eyes of users.
  • the users do not have any antique impression on the anchor 90 D.
  • the electric viola 90 achieves all the advantages of acoustic violin 60 .
  • the blindfold 40 E may be implemented by a curved plate independent of the chinrest 12 C and side frame 24 C.
  • a metal toggle joint may be secured to the rear portion of center stem so as to make it possible to anchor the tail wire to the rear portion of center stem.
  • a suitable lock may be further provided for the lever of toggle joint.
  • a quick disconnect coupling is another example of the fastener available for the stringed musical instrument of the present invention.
  • the tail wire may be called as a “tail gut”.
  • the blindfold of the present invention may appertain to an acoustic cello, an electric cello, an acoustic contrabass and an electric contrabass.
  • the saddle plate may be made of synthetic resin in so far as the synthetic resin is less influenced in variation of humidity and durable rather than wood. Carbon fiber may be used for the saddle plate.
  • the acoustic violin and acoustic viola of the present invention may be equipped with a sound-to-electric signal converter inside the instrument body.
  • the component parts of stringed musical instruments 40 , 50 , 60 , 80 and 90 are correlated with claim languages as follows.
  • the electric violins 40 and 50 , acoustic violin 60 , acoustic viola 80 and electric viola 90 serve as a “stringed musical instrument”.
  • the instrument body 40 A, 50 A, 60 A, 80 A and 90 A are corresponding to an “instrument body”, and any one of the strings 4 C, 64 a to 64 d , 80 B and 90 B is corresponding to “at least one string”.
  • Any one of the pegs 5 h and 65 a to 65 d serves as a “connector”.
  • tailpieces 7 C, 7 E or 67 a is corresponding to a “tailpiece”
  • tail wires 11 C, 11 E and 67 b is corresponding to a “tail wire”.
  • the fastener 10 C i.e., the combination of saddle plate 42 and bolts 41 and 43 serves as a “fastener”.
  • the fastener 10 E or 70 also serves as the “fastener”.
  • Any one of the blindfolds 40 Ea, 60 E, 80 E and 90 E serves as “a blindfold”.
  • the soundboards 61 and rib 62 are corresponding to “plural plates”.
  • the bolts 43 serve as “at least one wood screw”.
  • the upper surface and lower surface of the center stem 22 C are corresponding to “a major surface” and “another major surface”.
  • the center stem 22 C serves as a “wood piece”, and the wood block 60 Aa also serves as the “wood piece”.
US12/335,709 2008-01-09 2008-12-16 Stringed musical instrument and structure of tailpiece unit used therein Active US7592529B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2008002224A JP5109666B2 (ja) 2008-01-09 2008-01-09 弦楽器のテールピース保持構造
JP2008-002224 2008-01-09

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20090173208A1 US20090173208A1 (en) 2009-07-09
US7592529B2 true US7592529B2 (en) 2009-09-22

Family

ID=40584728

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/335,709 Active US7592529B2 (en) 2008-01-09 2008-12-16 Stringed musical instrument and structure of tailpiece unit used therein

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US7592529B2 (ja)
EP (1) EP2079075A2 (ja)
JP (1) JP5109666B2 (ja)
CN (1) CN101483038B (ja)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130014630A1 (en) * 2011-07-13 2013-01-17 Jiyoung Um Stringed Musical Instrument
US8993862B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2015-03-31 Marc Eugene ANDERSON Retractable stringed musical instruments and method for operating same
US20170249928A1 (en) * 2016-02-26 2017-08-31 Chien Che Kenneth KUO Tailpiece for a string instrument
USD806782S1 (en) * 2015-12-12 2018-01-02 Laurent Bernadac Violin
US11328694B2 (en) 2020-01-17 2022-05-10 Matthew CANEL Stringed instrument
US11328696B2 (en) * 2020-01-17 2022-05-10 Matthew CANEL Stringed instrument
US20220215816A1 (en) * 2019-05-27 2022-07-07 Giovanni INGALLINERA Electric bowed string instrument structure

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5838976B2 (ja) * 2013-01-15 2016-01-06 ヤマハ株式会社 電気弦楽器
GB201419480D0 (en) * 2014-10-31 2014-12-17 Brain Archibald Ian Jeremy Bridge for stringed instrument
WO2017020127A1 (en) * 2015-07-31 2017-02-09 David Dunwoodie Wraparound bridges or tailpieces for stringed instruments
US9978346B2 (en) * 2016-07-25 2018-05-22 Robert L. Oberg Stringed musical instrument for generating sound from two sound boards on opposite sides of the instrument and a method of construction

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2824478A (en) * 1955-03-29 1958-02-25 Charles H Shultz Bass guitar
JP2000259149A (ja) 1999-03-08 2000-09-22 Yamaha Corp バイオリンのテールピース構造

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5650546Y2 (ja) * 1977-10-07 1981-11-26
JPS5650545Y2 (ja) * 1977-10-07 1981-11-26
JPS5472021U (ja) * 1977-10-29 1979-05-22
JP3864847B2 (ja) * 2002-05-22 2007-01-10 ヤマハ株式会社 振動検出装置、駒および弦楽器
JP4064985B2 (ja) * 2005-01-20 2008-03-19 星野楽器株式会社 弦楽器用ナット及び弦楽器

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2824478A (en) * 1955-03-29 1958-02-25 Charles H Shultz Bass guitar
JP2000259149A (ja) 1999-03-08 2000-09-22 Yamaha Corp バイオリンのテールピース構造

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130014630A1 (en) * 2011-07-13 2013-01-17 Jiyoung Um Stringed Musical Instrument
US8993862B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2015-03-31 Marc Eugene ANDERSON Retractable stringed musical instruments and method for operating same
USD806782S1 (en) * 2015-12-12 2018-01-02 Laurent Bernadac Violin
US20170249928A1 (en) * 2016-02-26 2017-08-31 Chien Che Kenneth KUO Tailpiece for a string instrument
US20220215816A1 (en) * 2019-05-27 2022-07-07 Giovanni INGALLINERA Electric bowed string instrument structure
US11749233B2 (en) * 2019-05-27 2023-09-05 Giovanni INGALLINERA Electric bowed string instrument structure
US11328694B2 (en) 2020-01-17 2022-05-10 Matthew CANEL Stringed instrument
US11328696B2 (en) * 2020-01-17 2022-05-10 Matthew CANEL Stringed instrument

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101483038B (zh) 2011-08-10
US20090173208A1 (en) 2009-07-09
CN101483038A (zh) 2009-07-15
JP5109666B2 (ja) 2012-12-26
JP2009163113A (ja) 2009-07-23
EP2079075A2 (en) 2009-07-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7592529B2 (en) Stringed musical instrument and structure of tailpiece unit used therein
US5661252A (en) Acoustic arm
US7534945B2 (en) String instrument
US7378582B2 (en) Stringed instrument nut and stringed instrument
US5191159A (en) Electrical stringed musical instrument
US20070095192A1 (en) Apparatus for coupling strings to the body of a stringed instrument and related methods
US7868235B2 (en) Bridge system for improved acoustic coupling in stringed instruments
KR20060029220A (ko) 악기용 액세서리, 구성요소, 및 작동부품
US7390948B2 (en) Capo applicable to dobro and slide guitars, and other raised-string instruments
US7002065B2 (en) Chassis for an electrical stringed musical instrument
US4084475A (en) Guitar construction
US3481238A (en) Stringed musical instrument
EP2080190B1 (en) Chin-rest for a violin
US20020162442A1 (en) Stringed musical instrument with soundbox extension
US6600096B2 (en) Guard to protect tuning adjustments on a string musical instrument
US7351894B2 (en) Guitar string retainer guide
US5753838A (en) Guitar string holder
US20070199433A1 (en) Fiddolin
US7411120B2 (en) Stringed instrument with offset structure
US7161075B2 (en) Stringed musical instrument having strings folded over tailpiece
US6667431B1 (en) Stringed instrument
US10540947B2 (en) Capo with attachment mechanism and fretting action in separate offset planes
US6777601B1 (en) Stringed musical instrument soundboard system
US3564964A (en) Stringed musical instrument improvements
US4667559A (en) Bridge for stringed instruments

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: YAMAHA CORPORATION, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TAMURA, SHINYA;REEL/FRAME:021988/0556

Effective date: 20081107

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 12TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1553); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 12